SIXTH NATIONAL REPORT i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Eswatini’s Sixth National Report (6NR) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) has been compiled by the Project Management Unit. The 6NR is a compilation of the contributions that have been made by the different stakeholders that are working on the issues that are in relation to the country’s customized Aichi Targets, as highlighted in the National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan, Two (NBSAP 2). Data collection from stakeholders was done through the bilateral consultative meetings that were held between stakeholders and the project team, the regional workshops and a national workshop. The compilation of the 6NR has been managed and supervised by Ms. Hlobsile Sikhosana, who is the UNCBD Focal Point and Chief Environmental Coordinator in the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs. Special appreciation is extended to Mr. Emmanuel Dlamini, who is the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs. Also appreciated are the members of the Project Steering Committee and the members of the Technical Committee. We further acknowledge the support and guidance from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) especially from Mr Antony Kamau. The acknowledged project team and committees’ members that played a significant role in compiling the report are: 1. Project Team: - Mr Thabani Mazibuko, Mr Prince Mngoma, Mrs Xolile Lokotfwako, Mr Mpendulo Hlandze, Ms Baphelele Dlamini and Mr Lindani Mavimbela (Lead Consultant). 2. Project Steering Committee: - Ms Constance Dlamini, Ms Sanelisiwe Mamba, Ms Turu Dube, Mr Sifiso Msibi, Mr Vumile Magimba, Mr Freddy Magagula, Mr Christopher Mthethwa, Mr Musa Mbingo, Mr Sandile Gumede, Mr Leslie Balinda, Mr Stephen Khumalo, Mr Bongani Magongo and Dr Themb’alilahlwa Mahlaba. 3. Technical Committee: - Dr Constance van Zuydam, Dr Nkosinathi Dludlu, Ms Sanele Sithole- Dlamini, Mr Robert Fakudze and Mr Mphumelelo Ndlovu. ii CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................................ ii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................................................... vi FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................................... x EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................... 1 Section I. Information on the targets being pursued at the national level ............................................. 2 Section II. Implementation measures taken, assessment of their effectiveness, associated obstacles and scientific and technical needs to achieve national targets .............................................................. 24 Building technical know-how capacity on biodiversity issues ............................................................... 24 Mainstreaming biodiversity and ecosystem into curricula (schools and tertiary institutions) ................ 26 Identification and evaluation of important ecosystem services. .............................................................. 29 Mainstreaming of biodiversity and ecosystems values in national planning instruments and processes. ................................................................................................................................................................ 31 Undertake an assessment study on positive, negative, potential incentives/awards and their socio- economic repercussions. ......................................................................................................................... 32 Introduce environmental taxes and levies to reform harmful subsidies and payments for ecosystem services. ................................................................................................................................................... 33 Integrate biodiversity, proper land use and EA into sustainable development plans of local authorities, regions, Chiefdoms and Tinkhundla and in to new and existing businesses. ......................................... 34 Intensify, promote sustainable use of natural resources in communities and environmental management strategies within municipalities. .............................................................................................................. 36 Promote environmental standards in businesses and municipalities. ...................................................... 38 Strengthen baseline data on the state of the country’s natural habitats and ecosystems, develop outlook and actions safeguarding ecosystems ...................................................................................................... 40 Develop monitoring and evaluation plans for habitats and promote ecosystem-based adaptation strategies ................................................................................................................................................................ 45 Promote alternative eco-friendly livelihoods, restore, rehabilitate natural habitats and enforce legislation ................................................................................................................................................................ 47 Develop and implement integrated watershed management programmes for all major river basins...... 49 Promote best eco-friendly food production technologies, processing, climate smart systems and incentives of sustainable production. ...................................................................................................... 51 Enforce and maintain buffer vegetation along aquatic bodies and conservation areas within agriculture and forestry plantations ........................................................................................................................... 53 Practice and implement best practices in food production systems ........................................................ 54 Determine the impact of existing pollution prevention and control initiatives, perform gap analysis and Capacitate institutions ............................................................................................................................. 55 Amend and or develop new pollution prevention and control legislation and raise awareness of legislation ................................................................................................................................................................ 57 Enforce legislation on pollution control, monitor and evaluation of compliance ................................... 58 iii Finalize the existing draft strategy and implement it, Strengthen public awareness activities, Capacity building on the control and management of IAPS. ................................................................................. 63 Identify the most vulnerable and valuable ecosystems, anthropogenic pressures affecting these and develop mitigation and rehabilitation measures ...................................................................................... 63 Determine biodiversity hotspots, carry out carbon stock assessment, update the PWA report, prioritize identified PWA for conservation ............................................................................................................ 65 Revise existing laws on proclamation of protected areas, gazette and manage identified protection-worthy areas as well as develop a management plan. ......................................................................................... 67 Support traditional authorities to regulate the usage of biodiversity and ecosystems, integrated landscape management to stakeholders (private, communities, local authorities) and publish information booklet to enhance the implementation of NRM in rural areas ............................................................................... 68 Develop an Off-setting framework to handle land conversion, provide incentives for owners to maintain important ecosystems and improve conservation and ecotourism infrastructure for product development or marketing programmes ....................................................................................................................... 69 Update Red data list for all threatened species, develop a framework for species management plans, and strengthen community management capacity ......................................................................................... 70 Assessment of genetic diversity for crops and livestock, strengthen germplasm and DNA banks and promote maintenance of in-situ/ on-farm conservation areas. ................................................................ 71 Develop and implement a genetic diversity strategy, implement the Biosafety Act 2012 and its provisions and develop guidelines for on-farm conservation areas .......................................................................... 74 Assess linkages between key ecosystem services and human well-being. Raise awareness and understanding of the public and decision-makers and restore to maintain the functioning of freshwater ecosystems such as wetlands .................................................................................................................